USA TODAY SportsDerrick Thomas set an NCAA single-season record for sacks while at Alabama.

The National Football Foundation's announcement of the entire 16-man Hall of Fame class will be at 12:30 p.m. ET Thursday from Irving, Texas.

Thomas, who played at Alabama from 1985-88, won the 1988 Butkus Award, signifying the nation's top linebacker. As a senior he had a school record 27 sacks in earning unanimous first-team All-American and the SEC's Defensive Player of the Year honors.

He also set Crimson Tide career records for sacks (52) and tackles for loss (68). Thomas was the fourth player selected in the 1989 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was named to nine Pro Bowls.

Thomas died at the age of 33 in 2000 following an automobile accident that left him paralyzed. In 2009, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Thomas will be the 24th former Alabama player or coach in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Thomas was among 162 players -- 75 FBS and 87 from the lower divisions -- and 32 coaches -- six FBS and 26 non-FBS -- nominated for this year's class.

The 2014 College Football Hall of Fame class will be inducted at the 57th National Football Foundation annual awards dinner Dec. 9 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.